June 2025

This edition has been a really enjoyable one to produce, mainly because we hear from several returning companies that are facing challenges head on. The easy choice when times are tough is to quit and look elsewhere, but some of the entrepreneurial acumen on display this month is rock solid.

At Glodina, the KZN manufacturing business famed for its luxurious towels, the ups and downs have been navigated – a few times – and there is now a sense of optimism and ambition for the future. Following a comprehensive analysis of the business, a consolidation has taken place and the result is a world class site in Hammarsdale. COO Andrew Broughton tells us about once again bringing Glodina back from the brink.

Across the border in Lesotho, nestled in the Maluti mountains, Storm Mountain Diamonds has been struggling through a depressed international diamond market while coming to terms with a booming synthetic diamond market. CEO Neo Hoala, who took the role in August 2024, tells us that cost containment initiatives and a big efficiency improvement project are set to bring strategic enhancements as the business fights through this cyclical downturn.

Thankfully, things are flowing nicely at Talbot – the water experts. By introducing new product and service ranges, Talbot is bringing more clients into the fold. This is beneficial for water scarce sub-Saharan operations, and is offers up exciting credentials for those who are serious about sustainability. CEO Carl Haycock talks about doubling revenue and reaching new markets by utilising its authentic African experiences.

We have a range of stories from different industries and each shows that resilience is critical in challenge-laden modern business, but how you roll out resilience is the key long-term success. 

Get in touch with the team at Enterprise Africa and let us know how your business is being efficient without abandoning principles, and how you motivate people when hurdles appear. We’re online 24/7 at LinkedIn.